The Dakins have milked cows since 1973, when Pete Dakin started his farm in Parrish, Florida. Today, the Dakin family operates four farms: Next Gen Ag, Boyz Ag Dairy, and Cameron Dakin Dairy in Myakka City, Florida, and Prairie Creek Dairy in DeSoto County, Florida. Collectively, they milk 6,500 cows and have around 10,000 animals in total. At Next Gen Ag, they also bottle milk and process and package cheese products.

“We love farming and agriculture,” says Lindsey Dakin, “it’s what we know. We love the animals and the science behind farming. We want to continue the family legacy of the farm. We feel it takes a special person and family to be a part of the 2% that feeds the country. We also love the agritourism side of farming, educating people on the farm, it’s a fun part of farming!”

 The Dakins are all about supporting their community and future farmers. They’re involved in local 4-H and FFA in Manatee and Sarasota County. They also offer a dairy lease program for Sarasota and Manatee County Fairs, where they lease around 100 animals granting inner-city youth the opportunity to raise, care for, and show dairy animals. They also offer private tours and field trips to schools at Next Gen Ag (Dakin Dairy Farms). Grant Dakin is also a board member of the Manatee County Cattleman’s Association.

“We hope to pass down to our families the legacy of dairying.” Lindsey continues, “They see the hard work that it takes, the determination it takes, and we only hope to grow the business for something they can take on one day.”